Microfinance Bank Staff Docked For Using Customers Names To Siphon N6.3m

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A staff of Sulspap Microfinance Bank in Lagos State, Miracle Jacob, has landed in trouble for allegedly using customers names to siphone the company’s N6.3m before he was caught. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect,  Jacob, has been arrested and charged for the alleged fraud and stealing under the Criminal Laws of the State.

The incident happened at the bank’s branch in Idimu area of Lagos, where the suspect was employed as a staff.

According to the Police, the suspect had on 18th October, 2024, forged the signatures of some customers including Odumeh Esther ‘f and one Akinola Idowu ‘F and disbursed the sum of N80,000 and N120,000.

The action prompted the management to conduct an audit and discovered that the suspect siphoned the company’s money to the tune of the amount in question.

The matter was reported to the Police at Idimu Division. The operatives moved into action, arrested and detained him at the station for interrogation over the missing money.

After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charge read:

“That you, Miracle Jacob, on the 18th day of October 2024, at about 10:000hrs at Sulspap MicroFinance Bank Idimu, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did dishonestly steal the total sum of N6, 307,000:44k (Six Million, Three Hundred and Seven Thousand. Forty Four Kobo) property of Sulspap MieroFinance Bank and thereby committed an offence under Section 280 (A) (1) and Punishable under Section 287 (7) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.”

COUNT II: That you, Miracle Jacob, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did forge the signature of the following people: (1) Odumeh Esther ‘f and one Akinola Idowu ‘F customers of Sulspap Micro Finance Bank thus disbursed the sum of N80,000 and 120,000 respectively, property of Sulspap MicroFinance Bank to yourselves and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 365 (1) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.”

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.K. Dosumu-Uthman, granted him bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.

The matter was adjourned till 20th November, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.